Griffin - my baby GT-R! (GTI Mk5) [SOLD!]

[samx300]

Howdy all,

I am pleased to introduce my first ever purchase - Golf GTI Mk5 (07 plate). I've named her Griffin (not to be associated with Vauxhall)

Album with pics here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sammankotia/sets/72157649464666399/

I picked her up 2 days ago and she's done about 65K on the odo. 2 Owners from new, first one being a lady. FSH and immaculate in my opinion. Fully loaded with with 6 Speed DSG (with pedal shifters), 18" Monzas (black inserts) (Falken/Bridgestone rubber), Xenon Headlights, Front Power Washers, Parking Sensors, Electric Sunroof, Dualzone Climate Control, Electric Seats, ESP, EBD, Heated and Electrically folding Door Mirrors, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, Rain Sensing Wipers etc.

I brought her home (South East London) from Bristol and the Motorway drive was the best I've had in my life. Flick the DSG in Sport and floor the throttle. Instant surge of acceleration and you're thrown back in to the bucket seats. Turbo kicking in past 3000RPM is just pure exhiliration. I went past 110MPH but guess this baby can go a little beyond that. This is my first ever Turbo experience, let alone a 200HP one so I took it easy on the throttle Just in case you are wondering, yes, the insurance cost me £1100 (Swiftcover) for 0 NCB for fully comp with £350 excess. Yeah, I'm a young-ish driver.

Curiosity strikes:
I did notice the WALD logo on the back. Asked the owner and he had no clue and said that it's just a sticker. Later I read through these forums (and online) to figure that my GTI might already be factory tweaked for an extra 40HP or so?! Thing is - I have never driven a Stock GTI before so I have no benchmark to what 200HP or 240HP feels like. Griffin does pack a punch, but then again, I've never driven a Turbo before, let alone a 200HP one! Is there any way I can easily check if my Mk5 already has a custom ECU map? I am visiting R-Tech in Leicester end of Jan for a Custom Stage 1 ECU+DSG so maybe it is worth waiting. I am just a little confused right now.

Improvement pipeline:

1. End of Jan 2015 - ECU and DSG Stage 1 remap - giving me an extra 40-50HP (taking her close to 250HP) and close to 340Nm of torque. I am not going for any after-market hardware enhancements (yet) so this will be purely software based tuning.

2. VW provided a 8 speaker system from factory on this model. However, being the audiophile I am - I had to make things (even) more interesting. So here is a list of 'stuff' that will make Griffin's ride more pleasurable. This is powerful stuff and installation alone is going to cost me £450.

Kenwood Head Unit Double DIN:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/dpx-405bt-double-din-cd-mp3-usb-player-with-bluetooth

Focal 3-Way Front Component System:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/165as3-16-5cm-6-5-3-way-component-speaker

JL Audio 2 Channel Amplifier for Component system:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/jl-audio-jx360-2-2-channel-amplifier

Rockford Fosgate Subwoofer and Enclosure:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/punch-series-p2-1x12-single-p2-12-loaded-enclosure

JL Audio Monoblock Amplifier for Sub:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/jl-audio-jx500-1d-monoblock-amplifier

Compatibility kit for VW Golf:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/ctkvw01-vw-passat-golf-jetta-scirocco-complete-double-din

High quality wiring and door deadening (audio damping) kits will also be installed. Steering wheel controls will be compatible at the end of it.

3. New Tyres
Rear tyres worn was the only advisory on Nov 2014 MOT. So when the time is right, I will invest in all 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1 ASY 2 XL. These are about £105 each fitted.


Thoughts/comments welcome. I will be asking random questions here from time to time. Please bear with me. I'm a noob to the GTI family and to this forum.

Cheers,
SAM

[samx300]

I haven't had the chance to give Griffin a bath yet. Weather was bad and I am waiting for a dry day when I can shampoo her and give her a wax coat. Need to hoover and wipe everything down inside out. Custom floor mats in black with red trim and GTI badge have been ordered.

[prp74]

Welcome. Nice spec motor. The GTi still puts a smile on my face.. Enjoy 

[GrayMK5GTI]

Welcome to the forum 

Make sure you replace the Diverter Valve, cam follower & PCV as these are common failure points. 

(Plenty of DIY & info threads on all the above on the forum)

[samx300]

Welcome to the forum 

Make sure you replace the Diverter Valve, cam follower & PCV as these are common failure points. 

(Plenty of DIY & info threads on all the above on the forum)

Thanks mate - will do! In the form of some quick advice please - how much will these parts cost to buy/fit?

[GrayMK5GTI]

DV is £40

PCV is around £35

Cam follower is around £35 http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=321192080755

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,44709.0.html

[Shoy1980]

From AMD Tuning Essex

PCV Valve - £32.24 + vat
Diverter Valve - £51.46 + vat
Cam Follower - £26.01 + vat
 
Labour - £90.00  + vat

[GrayMK5GTI]

From AMD Tuning Essex

PCV Valve - £32.24 + vat
Diverter Valve - £51.46 + vat
Cam Follower - £26.01 + vat
 
Labour - £90.00  + vat

Although they aren't too difficult to do as a DIY - especially the PCV

[samx300]

Thanks GrayMK5GTI and Shoy1980 for your feedback! :) Unfortunately I do not possess the skill to do this job myself so will have to rely on a garage. Perhaps I can request R-Tech to check the condition of both the DV and PVC and replace them. Would you recommend replacing both these parts regardless of whether they are worn or not?

Also, I plan on replacing the existing exhaust tips as they look pretty dull (can't afford a proper Exhaust System as Audio upgrade is priority for now). You think this part will be easy to fit?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281402037629?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[GrayMK5GTI]

R-Tech will probably do the PCV & DV (they take the DV off to check anyway).

It's worth doing them all anyway - especially the Cam Follower.

Pop down to your local VW dealer for the parts 

[samx300]

R-Tech will probably do the PCV & DV (they take the DV off to check anyway).

It's worth doing them all anyway - especially the Cam Follower.

Pop down to your local VW dealer for the parts 

Hi mate, do you think its' worth upgrading to a better quality (longer lasting) DV such as this one? Would R-Tech be happy to fit one for me?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271510540867?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've seen loads of these sold and they are highly recommended for those running custom maps and higher boost.

[xjay1337]

Looks identicle to how mine was including the spec.
Mine also had WALD sticker on engine cover.
These cars were brought it AS NEW (before registration) from Middle East.
Also shows as having the fully electric adjustable drivers seat.
Same spec etc as UK cars except they don't have an alarm, but higher standard specification with the electric folding mirrors etc.

[samx300]

Okay, this is interesting (and shocking). I just spoke to VW Lookers Dealer (in Morden) and enquired about the costs for the following parts (costs listed as well, including VAT).

DV: £31.37
PVC: £38.82 (need new belts with this which are £21.04)
Cam Follower: £10.48 each

Then I went on to enquire the fitting charges from the lady who had difficulty understand what parts I am talking about as VW refer to each of the above as some other funky name. Finally she spoke to the 'Master Technician' and he said this is a 10hr job and gave me a quote of £1260. They really are taking the piss!!!!! Does anyone know if its' true or this price justified?! £30 parts and £1200 labour has got to be a joke.. I'd rather just buy a DV on my own and get R-Tech to fit it. Surely they won't take 10hrs for it.. Thoughts welcome Forum members.

[samx300]

Looks identicle to how mine was including the spec.
Mine also had WALD sticker on engine cover.
These cars were brought it AS NEW (before registration) from Middle East.
Also shows as having the fully electric adjustable drivers seat.
Same spec etc as UK cars except they don't have an alarm, but higher standard specification with the electric folding mirrors etc.

Good to know mate :) I don't have the WALD badge on the Engine Cover, just the boot..

[GrayMK5GTI]

Okay, this is interesting (and shocking). I just spoke to VW Lookers Dealer (in Morden) and enquired about the costs for the following parts (costs listed as well, including VAT).

DV: £31.37
PVC: £38.82 (need new belts with this which are £21.04)
Cam Follower: £10.48 each

Then I went on to enquire the fitting charges from the lady who had difficulty understand what parts I am talking about as VW refer to each of the above as some other funky name. Finally she spoke to the 'Master Technician' and he said this is a 10hr job and gave me a quote of £1260. They really are taking the piss!!!!! Does anyone know if its' true or this price justified?! £30 parts and £1200 labour has got to be a joke.. I'd rather just buy a DV on my own and get R-Tech to fit it. Surely they won't take 10hrs for it.. Thoughts welcome Forum members.

DV: 10mins with a ramp
PCV: 4.screws once engine cover removed - 15mins
Cam follower: 30mins

Just proves how much of a rip off VW are for this sort of thing. A decent specialist will do all that in under an hour   

There was a thread the other day about a guy who paid £1200 for VW to place the clutch. You could fit an updated clutch for less. . .